A series of new poly(amide-imide)s (PAIs, series III) with good processability and characteristics was synthesized by utilizing organosoluble polyimide (PI, 6FDA-PI series) to improve poor-solubility polyamide (PA, PTPA series), which used terephthalic acid (TPA) as a monomer. The III series PAIs were synthesized starting from the 2 : 1 molar ratio of aromatic diamines (I) and 6FDA to prepare imide ring-preformed diamines III) and then reacted with equimolar amount of TPA by direct polycondensation. Furthermore, by adjustment of the stoichiometry of the I, II, and TPA monomers, PAIs IV having various components were prepared. Most of the resulting PAIs having inherent viscosities between 0.70 and 1.74 dL/g were obtained in quantitative yields, and they were readily soluble in polar solvents such as N,N-dimethylacetamide, N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, dimethylformamide, and dimethyl sulfoxide. All of the soluble PAIs afforded transparent, flexible, and tough films. The glass-transition temperatures of PAIs III were in the range of 236-256 degreesC, and the 10% weight loss temperatures were recorded at 522-553 degreesC in nitrogen. The char yields of the III series polymers in nitrogen atmosphere were all higher than 56% even at 800 degreesC. (C) 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.